People United in a Country Divided: Bi-communal Activities and Conflict-Resolution in Cyprus http://www.peace4cyprus.net/

<body> <h1>bi-communal issues</h1> <p>In April 2003, the restrictions that prevented people from crossing the Green Line were partially lifted. In contrast to the northern authorities' postulate that Greek and Turkish Cypriots could never live peacefully together, the scenes following the opening of the checkpoints resembled those in Berlin after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Refugees went and visited their former villages and houses and were warmly welcomed by the present residents - the supposed-to-be enemies. New friendships developed and on weekends Cypriots from both sides queue at the checkpoint to enjoy a day on the 'other' side of the Green Line. Approximately 10,000 persons per day cross the Green Line, of which about 6,500 are Turkish Cypriots and about 3,500 are Greek Cypriots. However, the euphoric atmosphere did not result in a solution to the conflict. On 24 April 2004, all Cypriots were asked in separate referenda to vote on the UN-proposed Annan plan, which would have foreseen a comprehensive settlement to the </p> <h1>Cyprus problem</h1> <p>, including the reunification of the island and the common accession to the European Union on 1 May. Whereas the plan was approved by the vast majority of Turkish Cypriots, it was rejected by the Greek Cypriots. The high political tension that appeared in the Greek Cypriot part of Cyprus, marked by a strong nationalistic force, proved that the Greek Cypriot community is not yet ready for a solution to the deep-rooted conflict.  Population numbers by www.visitcyprus.org, last reviewed 29/01/2005. Official numbers about mainland Turks do not exist. These numbers are merely an estimate (Uludag, Cyprus Mail, 26/03/2004). During the last official census of 1960, 180,000 Turkish Cypriots were counted. The majority of them has left the island during the past years and 'settlers' from Turkey have replaced them. Due to the highly politicised connotation of this expression, I will use the term 'mainland Turks'. The first of these </p> <h1>bi-communal meetings</h1> <p>held in the buffer zone took place in 1990. As the interest was growing, series of </p> <h2>conflict-resolution workshops</h2> <p>and trainings were held, and </p> <h1>bi-communal activities</h1> <p>expanded rapidly. In April 2003, the restrictions that prevented people from crossing the Green Line were partially lifted. In contrast to the northern authorities' postulate that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots could never live peacefully together, the scenes following the opening of the checkpoints resembled those in Berlin after the fall of the Berlin Wall. The first of these </p> <h1>bi-communal meetings</h1> <p>on </p> <h1>conflict-resolution</h1> <h1>conflict resolution</h1> <p>held in the buffer zone took place in 1990. As the interest in the </p> <h1>Cyprus problem</h1> <p>was growing, series of conflict resolution workshops and trainings were held, and </p> <h1>bi-communal activities</h1> <p>expanded rapidly. In April 2003, the restrictions that prevented people from crossing the Green Line were partially lifted. In contrast to the northern authorities' postulate that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots could never live peacefully together, the scenes following the opening of the checkpoints resembled those in Berlin after the fall of the Berlin Wall. The first of these bi-communal meetings held in the buffer zone took place in 1990. As the interest was growing, series of </p> <h1>conflict-resolution</h1> <h1>conflict resolution</h1> <p>workshops and trainings were held, and </p> <h1>bi-communal activities</h1> <p>expanded rapidly. In April 2003, the restrictions that prevented people from crossing the Green Line were partially lifted. </p> <h1>Cyprus problem</h1> <p>In contrast to the northern authorities' postulate that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots could never live peacefully together, the scenes following the opening of the checkpoints resembled those in Berlin after the fall of the Berlin Wall. The first of these bi-communal meetings held in the buffer zone took place in 1990. As the interest was growing, series of conflict resolution workshops and trainings were held, and bi-communal activities expanded rapidly. </p> <h1>Cyprus problem</h1> <p>In April 2003, the restrictions that prevented people from crossing the Green Line were partially lifted. In contrast to the northern authorities' postulate that Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots could never live peacefully together, the scenes following the opening of the checkpoints resembled those in Berlin after the fall of the Berlin Wall.</p> Conflict-Resolution.html <p><a href="http://www.medressa.com">see workshops in Cyprus</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.peace4cyprus/DW/page_1.html">see workshops in Cyprus</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.peace4cyprus/welcome.htm">peace4cyprus and bi-communal activities</a></p> </body>